BNP Paribas Showdown—World's Top Tennis Divas at MSG

For a number of reasons the upcoming BNP Paribas Showdown, otherwise known as The Billie Jean Cup, seems so quintessentially New York.

First of all it features Serena Williams,Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, four of the hottest tennis divas on the planet smacking that fluorescent green ball silly on the floor of the world's most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. Although the event organizers did not select the top four female players according to the current WTA rankings, they did choose four of the top ten, three 2008 Grand Slam title winners, plus the currently number one ranked female player in the world Jelena Jankovic. These four have definite star appeal and should be able to sell this show to a New York audience. The ad campaign on billboards in midtown Manhattan presents these talented ladies like fashionista glamor girls (which of course they are).

Secondly The Billie Jean Cup is about making money and making it fast, which is what New Yorkers are all about. It will definitely be exciting to witness one of these players winning a ton of money in the course of a single evening.

Thirdly, by setting up the event in a win it-win-it-now showdown format, it's win big or go home, which is definitely a New York frame of mind.

And lastly the BNP Paribas Showdown asks the essential question in a blunt New York fashion. What does it all come down to on this historic night? At the end of the night which one of them is going to have the guts (or should I say balls) to slay her opponents in three merciless sets? Do I hear a Paris Hiltonian "That's hot!" reverberating in the air over Manhattan?

Billie Jean King Cup? Forget about it— that's just a silver cup. These chicks are going home on the night of March 2nd, 2009 with $1.2 million in prize money. (If I'm not mistaken, some of the players on the New York Knicks tough it out for an entire season and make about half that amount.)

Tickets for the Big Showdown go for anywhere from $50 to $1000 plus for the big showdown. Given the entertainment value, however, this is about as recession proof an event as you can get in winter 2009. "And that's hot!"

Photo Credit: BNP Paribas Showdown ©2009 All Rights Reserved

Tags:   ana ivanovic, bnp paribas showdown, jelena jankovic, new york, serena williams, the billie jean cup, venus williams

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Posted on 2/24/2009 ( Permanent Link )
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